Small is beautiful and productive when it is diversified and nurtured to meet the nutritional and economic needs of the family. Small holdings challenge the farm families to innovate, to experiment, to recycle and reduce the cultivation costs. A small diversified homestead farm, successfully managed by a woman farmer is truly inspiring.
Doubling farm income by 2020 is one of the most targeted goals for agriculture research and development sector. All India data reveals that more than 80% of the farmers in India are small and marginal. It is also an indication, that major portion of the agriculture production in India are from these small farms. The ‘success mantra’ of the small farms of Kerala state with an average land holding size of 0.2 hectare is the multiple diversity models achieved through innovations of the farming community evolved over time.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI) has been implementing several outreach and participatory extension research programme among farming community. Under its ‘Farmers FIRST’ programme (FFP), case studies of small farmers in Pathiyoor panchayath, Alappuzha district were documented. The salient characteristics of small farms were found to be blending diversity of innovations in crops and enterprises.(see Box 1)
Size of the farm: 0.28ha, 63 species, multiple interdependent mutual enterprises- Livestock, goat, layer birds, fisheries, market outlet, home scale value addition, compost unit.Multiple crops- Coconut, spices, fruit crops, fodder, vegetables, flower crops, azolla, timber trees.
Box 1:Small and diversified homestead farms- Some salient features
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Diversified homestead farms
Homestead farming in Kerala is a time tested model, matured through generations and experiential learning. ‘Purayida Krishi’ in Malayalam language, literally means ‘farming in the space around home for family’. Hence it could be termed as ‘small farms by the farm family for the farm family’ sticking to the natural and ecological norms.
Mrs. Indira, Kandathiltharayil, Pathiyoor East, Alappuzha is an enterprising model woman farmer of the Farmer FIRST program (FFP) embracing enterprise diversity in integrated farming system (IFS). The small farm is of 0.28 ha area and managed by Mrs. Indira, her husband and son. The farm is small and has two milch animals and one calf, five goats of Malabari breed, 80 poultry birds of kadaknath and local breeds, fishpond of 600 m2 area, along with coconut based cropping system. Also there are timber trees on borders, 73 pepper wines trailed on the trees, arecanut and few coconut palms, seemakonna (Glyricidia Sp.)/vatta (Macaranga peltata) which also served as green manure crops.
Mr. Midhun, her son is an engineering graduate and has set an example with his contribution to this small farm. He started fish and fingerlings farming in three cement tanks of 7 X 4X 1 m size, besides the homestead pond. He is happy that the homestead farm gives luxuries like pure and plenty air, cool micro climate and fresh foods with ‘zero food mile’.
Resource recycling
About 68 species of plants and breeds have been documented in this small farm. The traditional wisdom of ecological engineering in homesteads with floral plants and intercrops is reflected in the natural presence of two stingless bee colonies in the plot. Resource recycling has reduced use of external inputs up to 60 percent. The fodder and natural grasses are fed to livestock while farm yard manure and urine are used for the crops. Azolla, harvested once in three days, is used as feed for poultry, goat, fish and livestock. It is also applied to vegetable crops, occasionally. Green manure crops provide micro and macro nutrients. The kitchen wastes and ash are applied to crops. Coconut residues serve as mulching material and enriches the soil.
Reaping multiple benefits
The family is reaping multiple benefits through their homestead gardens. The incidence of pests and diseases are very low compared to monocropped plots. Farm produces traditional breeds and crops and fetch premium price of 20-30 percent more compared to similar marketed products. Farm products are sold through an outlet on the farm itself. Milk is supplied to milk farmers’ cooperative society. Milk and eggs of local breeds fetch higher price. Home based value addition products like curd, buttermilk provide regular daily income to the tune of Rs.200 to 300. Income from coconuts is received once in two months. Around 4.2 lakh rupees of income is earned annually by the family.
Diverse homestead farm also provides healthy fresh foods to the household. Most of the home food needs are met from the homestead itself. Sesamum and horsegram are grown seasonally. Besides these, diverse foods like roots and tubers (amorphophallus, diascorea, colocasia, yam, cassava), green leafy vegetables (moringa, amaranthus, traditional miscellaneous leaves), fruits (banana, pineapple, mango, jack, sapotta, rambutan), vegetables, fresh water fish, milk and milk products, eggs, etc., are providing a healthy nutrition to the family. Indira says, “Our farm is the ‘akshaya pathram’ of fresh nutrition for a healthy family and green income with plenty of happiness and love from the living beings in the farm.” “The most important experience from this integrated farm is the risk alleviation during price fluctuation and climate change”, says her husband Mr. Ravi.
Indira besides getting food and steady income from her farm opines that she is also being respected and has gained recognition from family members and her community. She was also recognized for setting an emulative model of integrated farming system, by Krishibhavan. She was also invited to share her farming model which has the feasibility for doubling farm income in a National level workshop organized at NAARM, Hyderabad – a proud moment for her as a women farmer.
Anithakumari.P, Merin Babu and Indhuja.S
Anithakumari.P
Principal Scientist (Agrl. Extension)
ICAR-CPCRI Regional Station
Krishnapuram PO
Kayamkulam – 690533, Kerala
Email: anithacpcri@gmail.com
